Lemieux to return for 2003-04 season (30-Jun-2003)
Mark Madden of Pittsburgh's ESPN Radio 1250 is reporting that Mario Lemieux will return for one more season. Lemieux reportedly has booked ice time in August in order to get in shape for the 2003-04 season. A formal announcement is expected in the next few weeks.

Pens hire Molleken as assistant coach (27-Jun-2003)
The Penguins announced that they have hired Lorne Molleken as an assistant coach. Molleken has 10 years of head coaching experience at the NHL, AHL and major junior levels. He has also been an assistant with the Blackhawks and the San Jose Sharks.

2003 NHL Draft (21-Jun-2003)
The Penguins selected G Marc-Andre Fleury with the number one pick in the 2003 NHL Draft. More on Fleury at http://nhl.com/futures/bios/2003draft/fleury.html. The Pens took C Ryan Stone with the 32nd pick of the draft. More on Stone at http://www.nhl.com/futures/bios/2003draft/stone.html.
The Pens took RW Jonathan Filewich with the 70th pick, C Daniel Carcillo with the 73rd pick, D Paul Bissonnette with the 121st, LW Evgeni Isakov with the 161st pick, D Lukas Bolf with the 169th pick, G Andy Chiodo with the 199th pick, C Stephen Dixon with the 229th pick, F Joe Jensen with the 232 pick and F Matt Moulson with the 263rd pick.

Pens trade with Panthers for #1 pick (21-Jun-2003)
TSN.ca has reported that the Pens have received Florida's first overall selection in exchange for Mikael Samuelsson and the third overall pick. PittsburghPenguins.com is reporting the entire deal is Pens send Samuelsson, 3rd pick and 55th pick for the 1st pick and 73rd pick.

Barrasso signs and then retires (18-Jun-2003)
Tom Barrasso signed a contract with the Penguins today and subsequently retired. In 12 seasons with the Penguins, Barrasso appeared in 460 regular season games, had a 226-153-53 record with a 3.27 GAA, .895 save %, 31 assists, 251 PIMs, 22 shutouts and most importantly, won two Stanley Cups. He currently holds club all-time records for games, minutes played, wins, losses, ties, saves and shutouts. Barrasso also holds the Penguins' season record for wins with 43 (1992-93), GAA - 2.07 (1997-98), and shutouts with 7 (1997-98).

Pens to play Blue Jackets twice in preseason (12-Jun-2003)
The Penguins will play the Blue Jackets twice in preseason. The first game will be in Pittsburgh on Friday, September 26th at 7:30pm and then the teams will play in Columbus on Sunday, September 28th at 5:00pm.

Eddie Olczyk named new head coach (11-Jun-2003)
The Penguins have named ex-player and broadcaster Eddie Olczyk as the team's new head coach. According to Sportsnet.ca, Olczyk will sign a multi-year deal. Joe Mullen and Randy Hillier will remain as assistant coaches with possibly one other assistant to be added. The archive of the press conference can be found at http://www.pensnet.com.

Preseason games with Capitals announced (3-Jun-2003)
The Washington Post has reported two Pens vs Capitals preseason games. The teams will play on Sept. 18 at 7:00pm in Wilkes-Barre and then again on Sept. 27 at 7:00pm in Portland, ME.